During the Covid pandemic, after thoroughly re-reading all of Stephen King’s books, I decided to explore the works of Robert McCammon.

Someone recommended "Swan Song" to me since my favorite book is "The Stand", and I was immediately hooked.

This particular book was the sixth one of his that I read, and I have read a couple more since then. However, I must admit that I like this one the least.

It was still a solid story with excellent writing. Nevertheless, it was much more of a science-fiction/action story compared to the other books of his that I simply couldn't put down.

I'm not a big fan of aliens, and the entire story seemed cheesy to me. I understand that it was supposed to have a bit of a campy feel, but in my opinion, he has written much better works.

Still, if you're a fan of McCammon and enjoy more science-fictiony horror stories, you should probably give this one a read. I personally prefer horror without too many gimmicks, but that's just a personal preference. There is definitely an audience for this book. It just wasn't the right fit for me. I would rate it three stars.

My very first encounter with a McCammon novel has left me completely understanding why his work is so highly recommended.

It is an ambitious sci-fi horror story that truly stands out. What makes it remarkable is the way it patiently takes its time to establish the town of Inferno and the people who are suffering there.

By doing so, it gives real significance and weight to the events that unfold after the crash landing of a UFO and the appearance of a sinister creature that follows in its wake.

The detailed描绘 of the town and its inhabitants makes the reader feel as if they are truly a part of this strange and eerie world.

As the story progresses, the tension builds, and the reader is left on the edge of their seat, eagerly anticipating what will happen next.

McCammon's writing style is engaging and captivating, drawing the reader in from the very first page and keeping them hooked until the very end.

I can't wait to explore more of his novels and see what other thrilling stories he has in store.

A thoroughly-engaging piece of pulpy sci-fi, "Stinger" is elevated far beyond its somewhat ordinary plot by McCammon's masterful storytelling skills.

Fast-paced, with a light plot and abundant tropes, it still stands out as a shining example of how much fun light, well-written fiction can be. The characters are well-realized and interestingly developed. The pacing is tight and brisk, leading to a flurry of page-turning joy. I found myself brewing a second pot of coffee just to stay up and read past my bedtime.

Against the backdrop of a crumbling Texas border town, already ravaged by a dying economy, racial tension, and other misfortunes, two alien entities engage in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse. The story is rich with pathos, heroism, redemption, and hope, much like a well-designed 'made for TV' movie from the mid-1980s. But despite any cheesiness, McCammon never forgets the pulpy sci-fi roots that inspired the tale. He writes with great heart and gusto about aliens with a penchant for baseball and Ray Harryhausen monsters that come terrifyingly to life.

In a fairer review, it might be a 4-star book. However, due to reader bias (I really LOVED this book despite its unsophisticated limitations), it firmly kicks up to a 5-star masterpiece of well-crafted, thoroughly-enjoyable, candy-coated neo-pulp science fiction with a strong soul at its core.

First published back in 1988, Robert McCammon’s sci-fi horror novel ‘Stinger’ was a highly anticipated release. It followed on from his successful novels ‘They Thirst!’ and ‘Swan Song’. McCammon already had a well-respected name in the horror world, and ‘Stinger’ was no exception.

Set in the not-too-distant future in a dusty Texas town called Inferno, the book begins by setting the scene in this scorching hot and dying town. Work is scarce, and life is tough for the residents of Inferno. Rival gangs, like ‘The Renegades’ led by Cody and ‘The Rattlesnakes’ led by Rick Jurado, rule the streets, constantly fighting among themselves.

The plot kicks off when two spacecrafts land near the town. One of them houses an escaped alien named Daufin, who takes over the body of a seven-year-old girl named Stevie Hammond. Daufin is on the run from the alien bounty hunter known as Stinger. As the Stinger kills everyone in its path to reach Daufin, the townspeople are drawn into a war for their survival.

‘Stinger’ is filled with a wide range of b-movie-esque characters, each fulfilling every possible cliché. McCammon uses exaggerated personalities to bring each character to life, allowing the reader to identify with and love certain ones. The novel also has several inner subplots that McCammon skillfully weaves together, showing the characters fighting side by side against their common enemy.

The pace of the storyline takes a few chapters to pick up, but once it does, it maintains a constant fast pace. With the interwoven subplots and action-packed chapters, McCammon keeps the reader entertained and on the edge of their seat. The novel ends with a dramatic and well-managed conclusion, wrapping up the story nicely and leaving the reader satisfied.

Overall, for a lowbrow, entertaining sci-fi horror with an action-packed storyline, McCammon’s ‘Stinger’ is a great choice. It’s 576 pages of pure gritty horror, complete with comic book characterisation and nail-biting suspense.

Oh, this book was an absolute page turner!

The plot isn't overly complex, which makes it easy to get into. However, it's the unique style of writing that, when combined with a well-developed action sequence and a diverse cast of characters, truly ensures the book's success.

It's both entertaining and impressive on multiple levels, making it extremely easy to recommend. Whether you're a seasoned reader or just looking for a good read, this book has something to offer.

For those who are fans of 80's horror and sci-fi movies, this book could be a pleasant surprise and a real treat. It captures the essence of that era and brings it to life in a whole new way. So, if you're in the mood for a thrilling and engaging read, give this book a try.

This is a very entertaining and fast-paced SciFi-Horror.

It contains all the elements of those 80's horror movies that I have a great love for.

The story unfolds with excitement and keeps you on the edge of your seat.

However, I do have one small wish.

I just wish it would have been a bit shorter.

As the story progresses, it slows down towards the middle.

This causes a slight dip in the overall pacing.

But despite this, it is still really fun!

Overall, it's a great addition to the SciFi-Horror genre and definitely worth a watch.

It brings back the nostalgia of those classic 80's horror movies while also adding its own unique twist.

I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys this type of film.

So, if you're looking for a thrilling and entertaining movie to watch, give this one a try!

You won't be disappointed.

3.5

Parts of the novel were truly 5 stars, shining with brilliance and captivating my attention from the very first page. The author's writing in those sections was masterful, creating a vivid and immersive world that I couldn't help but get lost in.

However, there were also some parts that unfortunately only rated a 3 stars or less. The pacing seemed to slow down, and the story lost its momentum. It felt as if the author was trying to cram in too much information or was perhaps a bit unfocused in those moments.

I have loved several other books by this author, and I had high expectations for this one. But, to be honest, this particular novel didn't quite pull me into the story as deeply as I had hoped. It had its moments of greatness, but overall, it just didn't have that certain something that would have made it a truly unforgettable read.

Maybe it was a case of bad timing on my part, or perhaps my expectations were simply too high. Nevertheless, I will still look forward to future works from this author, hoping that they will once again be able to transport me to another world and keep me on the edge of my seat.

A character-driven story that unfolds over a 24-hour period is truly captivating. It has the power to draw readers in and keep them on the edge of their seats. This particular story not only echoes the best of Stephen King but also seamlessly blends horror and science fiction elements.

The characters are well-developed, with their own unique personalities and motives. As the story progresses, we see them face various challenges and obstacles that test their limits. The horror elements are expertly crafted, creating a sense of unease and dread that lingers throughout.

The science fiction aspect adds an extra layer of intrigue, with its imaginative concepts and technological advancements. It makes the story feel both familiar and yet completely original.

Overall, this is a story that is sure to appeal to fans of both horror and science fiction. It has all the ingredients of a great read, including engaging characters, a thrilling plot, and a unique blend of genres. A full review is coming soon, so stay tuned to find out more about this exciting new story.

I really enjoyed this book.

It has been about 25 years since I last read a McCammon novel, and this was the only one from that era that I had not yet read.

As a teenager, I used to devour the works of King, Herbert, Koontz, and McCammon.

So, I was curious to see if this kind of book would still have the same impact on me.

Surprisingly, I was still able to get a great deal of enjoyment out of this old-fashioned horror story.

The story is relatively simple: an alien crashes near a small town while being pursued by another alien.

It's not too difficult to guess which alien is the good one and which is the bad one.

The town is in a state of decline, and the two local gangs are constantly at each other's throats.

The question remains: will the good alien be able to get home, and which humans will still be alive when it's all over?

Sure, you could pick holes in the plot if you wanted to, but why bother?

Just sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.

Sometimes, it's nice to just lose yourself in a good old-fashioned horror story.

I was extremely disappointed.

I had been truly looking forward to a really good 80's horror filled with monsters and violence.

Well, the monsters and violence were indeed present, but there were far too many inconsistencies.

In fact, there were so many that I could barely manage to finish watching it.

The aspect that bothered me the most was this: the so-called "good" alien learned about us by perusing through the encyclopedia.

However, it constantly got simple things confused with more elaborate descriptions from the article.

This left the humans in a state of wonder, constantly trying to figure out what on earth it was talking about.

I'm not entirely certain if this was supposed to be for comedic effect, but to be honest, it simply didn't work for me at all.

It just seemed like a strange and rather ineffective choice that detracted from what could have potentially been a great horror experience.

Overall, I was left feeling let down and wishing for a more coherent and engaging 80's horror flick.

Re-reading this book has been an absolute delight!

From the very first page, I was once again drawn into the captivating world that the author has created.

The story is so well-written and engaging that it keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

The characters are vividly portrayed, and you can't help but become invested in their lives and emotions.

Each time I re-read it, I discover new details and nuances that I missed before, which only adds to the overall enjoyment.

The pacing is perfect, never too slow or too fast, and the plot twists and turns in ways that you never expect.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a great read.

It truly is a 5-star masterpiece that will leave you wanting more.

I'm pretty sure I read this as a teenager, but if I did, I sure don't remember it. So this book was entirely new to me. And what a great book it was!

I'm a HUGE fan of Robert McCammon and have been slowly reading and re-reading all of his books. By doing so, I've been treated to the birth and growth of an incredible author, and it's been a damn fine good time.

Stinger has everything a horror fan could want. There are great characters, a great setting, humor, wit, and downright creepiness. Oh, and there are nasty monsters and warring gangs. I could go on, but I think you get the picture. All this is in a late 80s story that still rings true today.

I LOVED this story, and if the above sounds good to you, I'll bet that you will love it too! Highly recommended!